BBC Studios expands Benelux operations
September 28, 2026 13.45 Europe/London By Robert Briel

BBC Studios is expanding its presence in Benelux by creating a local production base and the launch of a dedicated development team, marking the next phase of the company’s Global Productions’ growth strategy.

With local production of the Dutch Bake-Off brand already underway for broadcaster Omroep MAX, in collaboration with Villain Studios, the new BBC Studios Benelux Productions is also investing in development capabilities to identify and develop original IP, adapt international formats, and create opportunities with creative talent, producers, broadcasters and platforms across the region. The move responds to strong local demand for well-crafted formats and builds on a track record of hit format licensing and production in the region since 2018.

The expanded Benelux operation will work closely with BBC Studios’ Global Content teams and international creative network, while remaining rooted in the local market – flexing between licensing, developing, producing and partnering as each project demands, with the ambition of building formats that can travel well beyond the region.

The operation is headed up by Fiona Wassenberg who will now build a local team of creatives. Fiona joined BBC Studios as Head of BBC Studios Benelux Productions in October 2022 and has led its growth ever since. Before joining BBC Studios, Fiona spent nearly 16 years at Dutch public broadcaster Omroep MAX, most recently as commissioning editor and content acquisitions, with editorial responsibility for content across NPO1, NPO2 and ZAPP including local versions of Four in a Bed, Four Rooms and The Great Bake Off.

The investment forms part of BBC Studios’ Global Productions’ broader international growth strategy, with today’s announcement a further sign of the company’s commitment to growing its international footprint. Since 2023, the company has continued to build its presence across the Nordics, Spain and Australia, including through the acquisition of Scandinavian production company STV, which became BBC Studios Nordic Productions, as well as the acquisition of Brutal Media in Spain and further growth in Australia with Werner Film Productions. With the addition of Benelux Productions, BBC Studios now has 9 global production bases outside of the UK, creating further opportunities for collaboration across its international network.

Fiona Wassenberg (pictured above), Head of BBC Studios Benelux Productions, said: “This is an exciting moment for BBC Studios Benelux as we continue to expand our footprint across the region. The Benelux is home to exceptional creative talent, and we are excited to invest in building a local team that will be at the heart of a hub where great ideas can originate or be co-developed with independent talent and production companies. Alongside our growing production activities, we look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Omroep MAX as we take on production of the local Bake Off formats, building on the long-standing success in the Netherlands.”

Jacob De Boer, EVP Global Productions, added: “We’re thrilled to see BBC Studios Benelux enter this next phase of growth. Establishing a local production base alongside a dedicated development team strengthens our international production network and gives us an even greater ability to work with the exceptional creative talent and production companies across the region.